Final answer:
To compute the net force on a bus with a mass of 5000 kg, the acceleration must be known. With a given acceleration of 2 m/s², the net force is calculated as 10,000 newtons using Newton's second law of motion (F=ma).
Step-by-step explanation:
The net force acting on a bus accelerating at a constant rate is calculated using Newton's second law of motion, which states that force equals mass multiplied by acceleration (F = ma). To find the net force on a bus with a mass of 5000 kg, the acceleration rate must be known. For example, if we use an acceleration of 2 m/s² (similar to the one in the supplemental material for a bus), then the net force would be F = 5000 kg × 2 m/s², which equals 10,000 newtons (N). The net force can be influenced by various factors like friction and air resistance, but those are not accounted for in this simplified example.